Taught my 7 year old to MIG weld

[lazlo]

I've got a bunch of backlog threads I need to post, but the other thread reminded me to post this one:

My 7 year old daughter loves being in the shop. Lately I've been doing a bunch of welding, and she really liked putting on a helmet and watching me. She kept bugging me to teach her how to weld.

I was taking a TIG class at the time, so I asked my instructor if it was safe/responsible to teach a youngster to weld. His answer was that as long as they're able and willing to listen and follow directions...

So I gave Bella a set of gloves, and started at a bench with her sitting between my legs, so I could guide her hand. She caught-on scary fast :)

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/rtgeorge_album/Welding/bellawelding.jpg

This was her first weld. Wouldn't pass an AWS cert, but she cherishes the coupon as a prized possession :)

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/rtgeorge_album/Welding/bellawelding2.jpg

[Chief Ben]

That is not a bad looking weld, she is going to be good at it in no time,
I started my grandson on stick welding at 9 years old many years ago,
in about a week he was welding as good as me Ha.Ha. I told him it was because my eye's was not as good as his, and now he does weld better than me, your a lucky guy to have a child that wants to be in the shop with you,
all i got is jerry Lea,
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u3/DaveBentz/WorkBench5010.jpg

[Boucher]

Young eyes and good eye-hand coordination are hard to beat. Girls are generally much better and develop skills faster and better than boys if they are interested.

[gda]

Those welds are great.

Based on the other thread I asked my soon to be 7 year old son if he wanted to learn to weld today since I have a project. He said "not yet", so I said "fine, let me know when you want to learn".

[Rookie machinist]

Thoose welds look better than the bubble gum I put down when I first learned.

[lynnl]

I'm not normally given to spouting safety platitudes, but for daughters with long hair hanging around in the shop, I think it would be a good practice to develop in her/them, to tuck the hair up inside a cap or some such.

Chances of an accident are relatively slim, but you never know. And just like eye protection, it only takes minimal effort, especially after the habit is developed.

[gzig5]

Looks like she has talent, but probably should have that hair under better control. I'd be afraid it would spill out into the field of fire if she bends over. My daughter has the same problem and got 4" whacked off yesterday because she wasn't paying attention eating pancakes and dragged her hair through the syrup. It would have washed out but it's been a recurring theme, so Mom made the executive decision. My kids love to help in the shop, but they're not too high on the noise from the machines or compressor. They'll grow out of that soon though, I hope. Congrats.

[justanengineer]

Congratulations to her and a big thank you for nurturing the future of our country when their minds are so impressionable and the world is so full of useless nonsense.

[lazlo]

Good point on the hair guys -- I'll have her pull it back in a pony tail and put a do-rag on her next time (this afternoon, actually).


I asked my soon to be 7 year old son if he wanted to learn to weld today since I have a project. He said "not yet"

I actually never broached the topic with Bella. She wanted to watch me weld, so I gave her a helmet. After she watched it a couple of times, she asked if she could try it.

You might just try putting a hood on him and let him see what he thinks...

[doctor demo]

Chief, Jerry Lea is a nice looking ..er Dog. but You didn't say how long it took ya to teach Him to weld:D

Steve

[derekm]

I've got a bunch of backlog threads I need to post, but the other thread reminded me to post this one:

My 7 year old daughter loves being in the shop. Lately I've been doing a bunch of welding, and she really liked putting on a helmet and watching me. She kept bugging me to teach her how to weld.

I was taking a TIG class at the time, so I asked my instructor if it was safe/responsible to teach a youngster to weld. His answer was that as long as they're able and willing to listen and follow directions...

So I gave Bella a set of gloves, and started at a bench with her sitting between my legs, so I could guide her hand. She caught-on scary fast :)

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u15/rtgeorge_album/Welding/bellawelding.jpg

This was her first weld. Wouldn't pass an AWS cert, but she cherishes the coupon as a prized possession :)

Good on yer... But welding is only knitting with molten metal - why shouldnt little girls be good at it?

for every Rosie the Riveter there were probably 5 Wendy/Wanda/Wilma/Williamina the Welders

and if great granny can do it so can she
http://thehokeycokey.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/rosie_the_riveter.jpg

[Black_Moons]

My kids love to help in the shop, but they're not too high on the noise from the machines or compressor. They'll grow out of that soon though, I hope. Congrats.

Get them there own ear protection. I find the common ear muffs block out a lot of the HF sound, And once thats gone, most shop noise is.. rather pleasent. And you can still hear speech through em, Since speech is mainly mid freqencys.

[wierdscience]

I can see it now,next Christmas will see the new "Welder Barbie".

Accessories will include Barbie Autodark helmet,Barbie cutting goggles,Barbie 7" side grinder and of course Barbie F-550 Super Duty welding rig:D

Oh,oh..... Barbie Shipyard:D

[Alistair Hosie]

I have to admit those welds make mine look like applied cold pudding rice.:D well done to a beautiful young talented lady.Alistair

[Chief Ben]

O.K. That little Beautiful Young lady has the welding Down pat.
Now get her on the Lathe & milling machine, Build her a Welding & machine shop of her own, And Sit back Pop And let her start bringing in the money for your old age, I Guess Some Guy are just Lucky, and you are.
Oh and teach her to Box, there is some Boys out there she will have to teach who is in charge in her shop. Good Luck, The Chief

[Fasttrack]

That's a fine looking weld! I'm about to start teaching my niece and nephew to weld - we'll be working on building a go-kart. They just got done doing the math to figure out how fast the kart will go.



Chief Ben - I'm a little jealous of that work bench. Actually it is quite inspiring. I picked up an old metal shop desk a couple of months ago and I'm thinking I might outfit it like yours. I really like that.

[lazlo]

I showed Bella the responses, and she was tickled --especially the Rosie the Riveter picture, after I explained the reference :)

Several friends pointed out that I'm going to make her future husband miserable, or at least he'd better be able to weld :p

By the way, I got a couple of PM's asking -- Tillman makes woman's welding gloves, and they come in XXS (extra, extra small). They're stick welding gloves, and a bit thick, but they're the perfect size for a 7 - 10 year old girl.

[Willy]

Congratulations Robert, looks like like you're going to have some very talented help in the shop soon. Good to see you and your daughter working together, and especially to her for her interest in an untraditional interest. Not saying she will be a welder, but even now she already knows more about the subject than 98% of other women do.

Very timely as well, just finished reading the latest issue of Practical Welding (http://www.fma-communications.com/pwt/) and they did an article on the recent influx of women welders to the industry, the article also focused on clothing and safety gear in womens sizes and styles.

Not sure if anybody noticed, but the AWS professional welder of the year award recently went to a very talented young lady.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWPuQSAIhzQ

Move over guys, there's a whole new segment of some very talented welders coming on line to give us a run for our money.:)

[alanganes]

That's a million dollar picture you have there. Awesome.
Not sure my MIG welds look too much better.

Nice work (you & your daughter!)

[Chief Ben]

I don't like to see children playing Video games all the time like they do now days, But I guess it would be ok if there was one on welding or machine shops, maybe there is and I don't it, Remember I'm OLD.
as for as Jerry lea welding he does not, But loves to watch, and that is where the problem is, he has had a few flash burns, I try to make him go to the house when I weld, as for as the work bench, it is on wheels so I can move it anywere in the shop where I need it, I seen one like it in a magazine years ago, that is where I got the idea,
OH keep us posted on the other things the Young Lady learns to do in the shop, it may help other Fathers & Grandfathers to get the Kids out of the house and away from the T.V and Video games, Thanks The Chief,